F1 GP Qatar: sprint pole to Piastri, Verstappen in trouble. Ferrari flops, Hamilton third to last

Oscar Piastri took pole position in sprint qualifying for the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix. The McLaren driver finished ahead of everyone with a time of 1:20.241, putting the Mercedes of George Russell and the other McLaren of world leader Lando Norris behind him. On the second row with the Englishman is Fernando Alonso, while Max Verstappen is surprisingly only sixth, on the third row with teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

The reigning world champion Dutchman complained strongly over the radio to Red Bull about the bouncing and set-up of his single-seater: the four-time world champion is playing for crucial points with two races to go in the championship.

Forgetful was the Ferrari’s performance: Charles Leclerc is in ninth position, while Lewis Hamilton is even 18th, eliminated in Q1. The Englishman will start from the third-last position on the grid. The sprint race is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. Italian time.

Starting grid (top ten)
.
Piastri
Russell
Norris
Alonso
Tsunoda
Verstappen
Antonelli
Sainz
Leclerc
Albon